High-Efficiency S-Band SSPA for Next Generation NASA Remote Sensing SAR/InSAR Platforms

This proposal will significantly advance Power Added Efficiency (PAE) beyond present-day state-of-the-art SSPAs operating at S-Band in the over 1kW peak output power regime, achieving a TRL =4 S-band/ 3.2 GHz solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) module. The greatly enhanced PAE will result in an SSPA with a compact form factor suitable for CubeSat/SmallSat or other NASA remote sensing platforms. The project aims to achieve over 1kW of output power, 50dB of Gain, PAE of no less than 60% and possibly greater than 75% through Recon-RFs advanced power amplifier design techniques based on next-generation waveform design capabilities and practices. •Recon-RF’s proposed technological innovation in PAE and Peak-Power for S-Band Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) enables the next generation of mm-wave Remote Sensing payloads with dramatically reduced SWAP-C per Watt of RF power and provides greater sensing capability through its enhanced peak-power output. • The SSPA is the most power consumptive device on a InSAR/SAR payload, reducing its SWAP-C would allow for reduction in power supply, thermal, and physical volume requirements for future remote sensing SAR/InSAR payloads. • Existing state-of-the-art SSPAs at 3.2GHz exhibit Power Added Efficiency (PAE) not exceeding 45% at a Peak-Power of 720W. Recon-RF proposes a PAE exceeding 60% at a Peak-Power of 1.1kW, a significant improvement over the state-of-the-art in PAE by 15% and Peak-Power by 34.5%. • Greatly increased transmit power can allow for better penetration and larger observable swaths for SAR and InSAR applications, while improvement in PAE will result in less relative power waste and decreased requirements for SSPA support apparatus. Technical Objectives: 1. Iterate Phase-1 S-Band, 3.1 to 3.3 GHz, Unit-Cell SSPA 2. Develop Driver Stage Amplifier 3. Finalize Power-Combiner Development: Down-Select & Finalize – Design/Fabricate/Test/Integrate into Final-Module 4. Finalize DC & Control Electronics Development 5. Finalize SSPA Housing & Heat-Exchanger Development 6. Final 1kW SSPA Integration, Assembly, & Test 7. Develop Additional L-Band, 1.215 to 1.3 GHz, Unit-Cell SSPA Deliverables: 1. 1kW S-Band, 3.1 to 3.3 GHz, SSPA Module 2. Unit-Cell L-Band, 1.215 to 1.3 GHz, SSPA Module 3. Final Project and Test Report

The proposed S-Band SSPA module capable of PAE >60% will enhance NASA’s remote sensing for SWaP-C conscious applications such as: • SAR/InSAR Payloads for studying surface topology on Earth and on other planets • Follow-on Missions to NISAR’s InSAR S-Band Geo-Physical Remote Sensing Payload • VenSAR S-Band SAR payload for Geo-Physical Remote Sensing of Venus Non-NASA commercial and DOD applications stand to benefit from Recon-RF’s advancements in S-Band SSPA technology, such as: • Surface Ship Radar • S-Band Satellite Communications • S-Band Weather Radar • Rural Broadband Back-Hauls • Commercial InSAR/SAR for remote sensing of vegetation and geo-physical phenomena

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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